Orlando Pirates legend says the team is signing quantity not quality

Former Orlando Pirates striker Andries Sebola has hit out at the club for signing “ordinary players”.

The transfer window is officially open and Bucs supporters will be hoping that the club can sign top quality players to inspire them to the title. They’ve already signed Diamond Thopola and Phetso Maphanga from Chippa United, while the likes of Jeremy Brockie, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi have been linked with the Soweto giants.

Reports suggest they have submitted a formal offer for SuperSport United hitman Brockie, who is also wanted by Mamelodi Sundowns.

“The people who are recruiting players at Pirates are making a lot of mistakes,” said the man who used to be known as “super-sub” during his playing days.

“They are recruiting quantity, not quality. They don’t know what it really means to wear a Pirates jersey. They are signing ordinary players.”

Sebola says Pirates need to sign players who want to play for the badge.

“They have to look for players who have hunger. The coach [Milutin Sredojevic] is trying by all means to build the team. Those people are not doing their job properly because they should be signing quality players.

“When I played, Mr [Irvin] Khoza used to come and ask ‘do you know what it means to wear the Pirates jersey?’. I don’t think these players know. Things are different these days. Mr Khoza has to talk to them one by one and get that hunger back because we are disappointed to be honest.”